Description

The School of Art in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Arkansas invites applications for two open tenure-track Associate Professor or Professor of Art Education positions to start in August 2026. This is a 9-month faculty appointment with a standard academic workload of 40% teaching, 40% research/creative activity, and 20% service. 

Exceptional candidates may have the potential for appointment as Endowed Chair in the School of Art which is designed to support the academic and professional development of the holder. The holder of the Endowed Chair position is expected to lead in the building of a nationally competitive Art Education program, encourage and engage in research and foster the participation, recruitment and retention of undergraduate and graduate students in the School of Art.

Situated within a leading public research university, in one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the United States, the Art Education program is uniquely positioned to reimagine the educational experience of artist-educators. Bolstered by transformative philanthropic support from the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation and Windgate Foundation, the Art Education program is positioned at the forefront of art and design education.

The School of Art’s world-class facilities, including the Windgate Art and Design District, the renovated Fine Arts Building, and the forthcoming Galleries and Foundation Building, are complemented by unparalleled access to Northwest Arkansas’s internationally recognized cultural destinations, including Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, The Momentary, and a statewide network of schools and community partners that serve as living laboratories for art practice, research and teaching.

The School of Art’s renovated historic Fine Arts building features spaces uniquely designed to serve the needs of Art Education, including a teaching gallery, dedicated office spaces for faculty and graduate students, and several multipurpose instructional spaces, including a studio-focused lab for artist-educators. The successful candidate will work collaboratively with Art Education faculty, staff and students to conceptualize, plan and activate these spaces to meet the contemporary needs of artist educators and to reimagine the possibilities of art teaching in school, museum and community-based settings. 

The successful candidate will not only help to foster innovative teaching and research opportunities for students but will make important contributions to unique public-facing initiatives that connect to and partner with world class museums and cultural institutions, as well as a rapidly growing network of PreK-12 Schools and arts-focused organizations. Additionally, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to make strategic and visionary leadership contributions through the program’s academic governance model, for example, as a Program Director, Director of Graduate Studies, and/or Undergraduate Coordinator. Through these unique opportunities, the successful candidate will help to advance an ambitious vision for the Art Education program while also strengthening the School of Art’s standing as a national and international leader in art and design education. 

This tenure-track, Associate Professor or Professor of Art Education position includes, but is not limited to, developing and implementing a strong research program, as evidenced by consistent engagement in creative and/or scholarly activity of a national and international standing; working collaboratively with colleagues to design and implement curricular and pedagogical approaches that support undergraduate and graduate degree offerings, and are current with existing and emergent systems of knowledge and practice in Art Education; contributing broadly to the programmatic needs of Art Education, including but not limited to participating in the development of degree curricula, program-level evaluation and visioning, undergraduate and graduate teaching, student advisement and research mentorship; program leadership and administration; and consistent engagement in community outreach.

Regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance is an essential job duty, as is the ability to create and maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships with others.

Additional Information:

 About the School of Art
The School of Art has a rich history beginning in 1874 when instruction in drawing and painting was first offered at the University of Arkansas for non-degree credit. The first art major program leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree was introduced in 1929. A Bachelor of Fine Arts degree was instituted in 1982 and the Master of Fine Arts graduate degree, one of the first such programs in the country, was initiated in 1952.

In recent years, the School of Art has experienced substantial growth and transformation. The most significant change occurred in 2017 when the Department of Art became the School of Art, made possible through a landmark $120 million gift from the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation. This historic gift created the first and only school of art in the state of Arkansas, propelling art education, design, research, and creative activity forward while providing unparalleled access and opportunity for students.

The gift was allocated with three primary goals: providing unprecedented levels of financial support for students through scholarships, travel grants, and internships; engaging the region through outreach and public service in partnership with Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and a wide range of community arts organizations; and expanding programs and degree offerings within the School. These commitments continue to drive the School of Art’s mission today, ensuring access, excellence, and national leadership in art and design education.

Duties will include:
   40% Teaching
   40% Research
   20% Service

Salary Information:
Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Recruitment Contact Information:
Dr. Christopher Schulte, search committee chair, cschulte@uark.edu
All application materials must be uploaded to the University of Arkansas System Career Site https://uasys.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/UASYS  

Please do not send to listed recruitment contact.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Completed applications received by November 28, 2025, will be assured full consideration. Late applications will be reviewed as necessary to fill the position. 

For additional inquiries, please contact the search committee chair, Dr. Christopher Schulte, at cschulte@uark.edu. 

Applicants must submit:
a curriculum vitae, 
a cover letter/letter of application, 
1 example of a scholarly writing
a statement of research, 
a statement of teaching, and 
a list of three professional references (name, title, email address, and phone number) willing to provide letters of recommendation if requested during the application process. Letters of recommendation will be requested only for candidates selected for interviews.
Optional:
Professional Portfolio, PDF (creative and/or teaching)

Review of applications will begin 30 days after posting and will continue until the position is filled.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications:

• Ph.D. or Ed.D. in art education or a related field from an accredited institution
• Evidence of an established research program, with a record of accomplishment consistent with that of a faculty member at the academic rank of associate or full professor
• Evidence of teaching experience in preK-12 educational settings, a museum or cultural institution, and/or community-based setting
• Evidence of university teaching, with a record of accomplishment at the undergraduate and graduate level in art education and/or related field
   

Preferred Qualifications:

• A strong and consistent record of engagement with contemporary issues in art education, as evidenced by consistent participation in state, national and/or international service and leadership roles in art education and/or related fields of study
• A strong and consistent record of scholarly accomplishment, as evidenced by participation in national and international peer reviewed publications, conferences and symposia, and professional meetings, programming and initiatives
• A strong and consistent record of teaching and curriculum development at the undergraduate and graduate level, as evidenced by participation in new course development, course revision, degree and program updates or creation, and innovative curricular design
• A clear and consistent record of mentoring graduate research, as evidenced by participation on thesis and dissertation committees and/or with regional, national and international organizations focused on supporting graduate student research in art education and related fields of study
• A strong record of accomplishment in community service and outreach, as evidenced by the development of and participation with public facing initiatives, external partnerships, and/or inter-institutional projects
• A clear and demonstrated record of fostering an open, supportive and collaborative environment for work and learning
   

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

• A record of administrative accomplishment at the program and/or departmental level, including but not limited to program leadership and/or the coordination of undergraduate and graduate degree offerings
• Evidence of strong interpersonal and communication skills